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Remarks

A native to Texas, flame acanthus loves the heat and full sun! A hummingbird and butterfly plant. Does well in poor soil. May only be cold hardy to Zone 7, however, it has come back for several years in the Panhandle. Grows rapidly and will flower the first year, if you must replant, this is still a good choice for mid to late summer and autumn flowers. Re-seeds some, transplant them early as their roots grow deep.There is another variety with light pumpkin colored flowers, but this one does not bloom as prolificly. Anisacanthus thurberii, desert honeysuckle, is similar but maybe not as cold tolerant, Zone 7. I was fortunate to locate a pale orange variety of Anisacanthus 'Orange Pumpkin' from Yucca Do Nursery, that is not as floriferous, but more elegant.

Use in Garden

A wonderful addition to the sunny, drought tolerant or xeric mixed border. Good addition to a Western cottage garden. Hunningbird garden. It's a woody perennial that looks the best if cut back to the ground in late winter/early spring.

Maintenance

Cut back to a third in early spring to encourage busy growth. Flame acanthus can even be cut down to the ground. A truly low maintenance plant.